LUCKNOW, Uttar Pradesh – In a significant move aimed at ensuring safety and curbing incidents of violence during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra, the Uttar Pradesh Police have imposed a ban on pilgrims carrying sticks, tridents (trishuls), hockey sticks, and similar items. This directive extends across major districts on the pilgrimage route, including Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Saharanpur, Bulandshahr, Hapur, and Baghpat.
The decision comes in the wake of a series of violent altercations, vandalism, and instances of harassment reported along the yatra route in both Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in recent days. Authorities have emphasized that even symbolic displays of weapons will not be tolerated.
ADG (Meerut Zone) Bhanu Bhaskar, a senior UP police officer, stated, “The government has issued clear directives prohibiting it. We are enforcing these strictly, and FIRs are being registered against violators.
” He further highlighted that the ban is part of comprehensive measures being implemented to prevent any disruption to law and order during the pilgrimage.
Beyond the prohibition on carrying these items, the police have also disallowed the use of motorbikes without silencers, a measure aimed at reducing noise pollution and preventing public nuisance.
The move also includes directives for those transporting Kanwars in large vehicles to ensure the size of the Kanwar and DJ setups are within permissible limits, citing road conditions and safety.
Background of the Restrictions:
The Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage where devotees of Lord Shiva collect holy water from the Ganges, often sees large crowds. While it is traditionally a peaceful pilgrimage, in recent years, there have been increasing reports of isolated incidents involving groups of Kanwariyas engaging in vandalism, brawls, and unruly behavior.
These incidents, often fueled by loud music and a sense of collective fervor, have sometimes led to clashes with locals or damage to public and private property.
For instance, recent reports include an incident in Meerut where a group of Kanwariyas allegedly vandalized a school bus after it accidentally grazed one of them. Another widely reported incident involved Kanwariyas assaulting a woman in Haridwar after her scooty brushed past a pilgrim. Such events have prompted calls for stricter enforcement and measures to ensure the safety of all citizens.
Government and Police Stance:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had earlier issued comprehensive guidelines for the Kanwar Yatra, emphasizing devotion, safety, and social harmony. These guidelines also included a ban on the open sale of meat along the yatra route and a prohibition on displaying arms and ammunition. The Chief Minister has warned against attempts to disrupt the yatra’s sanctity, vowing strict action against miscreants, including those spreading misinformation on social media.
The police have also ramped up surveillance, deploying AI-powered CCTV cameras across sensitive routes and establishing social media control rooms to monitor and respond to potential flashpoints in real-time. Over 10,000 women police personnel have also been deployed for the first time, prioritizing women’s safety during the pilgrimage.
The new restrictions underscore the government’s determination to ensure a peaceful and orderly Kanwar Yatra, preventing any elements from undermining the spiritual essence of the pilgrimage.
